(From the Stanstead College yearbook)
We always have an interesting group coming out to cross country every year, and this year was no different. You have the natural athletes, for whom running is a given. And you have those that have to work for it, day in and day out. I want to now focus on the athletes with a ton of heart. Not that award winners don't have heart, but I want to let some other athletes shine as well.
Cindy Zhang came to me day one saying she can't really run and is super slow. My response in this situation, all the time is: if you work hard and show me effort, you have a place on the team. So, yup, she's slow... but she has drive and perseverance. She works on it, gets better and by the end of the season, places in the top seven. Other examples are Oscar, Korey and Ba Nam. Not the fastest runners. In fact, they took pride in crossing the finish line dead last every race, but when it comes down to it, they participated in every practice, worked hard, little complaining. They made it to Tim Hortons during the last practice not quite first, but with the motivation of donuts on the other end, they got there faster. Makes me think we should have had donuts at the finish line of every race. Eddy Boydell really didn't enjoy it, but worked hard all the time and performed in the top 5 every time. Lucy Wang, always smiling, put in the work in practice and medaled in her second to last race. Unfortunately, she twisted her ankle in the final. Alicia Wang worked hard in every practice and race and placed in the senior girls division at every race. Crystal Lin, had some pain due to shin splints, but kept at it. Throw in Ben Chadwick who got a shout out in the last team announcement of the season because he placed in the top seven.
These are the ones that make me smile. Its not always about who is the fastest runner but also about who has heart, wants to improve throughout the season, show the dedication and the positive attitude. It's all of these things that make a true athlete.
As for those who showed genuine excellence in cross country running, Rosemary Lefebvre had natural athletic ability and worked to do her best at every race, while Antoine Remillard had a great attitude, showed up ready to work, put his time in at practice and generally showed a positive attitude. At the senior level. Alexei Berube was injured for part of the season but always worked as hard as possible at every practice and race that he was able to participate in.